Designation: C 387 – 00e1

Standard Specification for

Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials for Mortar and
Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 387; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—Value in Table number 1 was editorially corrected July 2001.

1. Scope 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the

1.1 This specification covers the production, properties, standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
packaging, and testing of packaged, dry, combined materials information pusposes only.
for concrete and mortars. The types of concrete and mortar 1.2.1 Values in SI units shall be obtained by measurement in
covered are described in the following paragraphs in this SI units or by appropriate conversion of measurements made in
section. Some of the mixtures covered by this specification other units, using the Rules for Conversion and Rounding
may not be available in some areas. given in IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
1.1.1 High-Early Strength Concrete—For concrete building 1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
and repair jobs requiring a more rapid strength development test method portion of this specification. This standard does not
such as required for the earlier removal of forms. purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
1.1.2 Normal Strength Concrete: with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
1.1.2.1 Normal Weight Concrete—For general concrete to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
building and repair jobs where thicknesses exceed 50 mm determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
(2-in.). Typical uses include building or repairing sidewalks, use.
patios, steps, footings, and for setting posts. 2. Referenced Documents
1.1.2.2 Lightweight Concrete Using Normal Weight Sand—
For concrete building and repair jobs where lower concrete 2.1 ASTM Standards:
weights are desirable. These mixtures will produce concrete C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates2
which is about 15 to 25 % lighter in weight than normal weight C 39 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical
concrete. Concrete Specimens2
1.1.2.3 Lightweight Concrete—For concrete building and C 91 Specification for Masonry Cement3
repair jobs where the lightest concrete weight is desirable. C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
These mixtures will produce concrete which is about 25 to Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or 50-mm Cube
35 % lighter in weight than normal weight concrete. Specimens)3
1.1.3 High-Strength Mortar—For general concrete work C 138 Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content
requiring thicknesses of less than 50 mm (2-in.) or where a (Gravimetric) of Concrete2
high-strength grout mixture is required. Typical uses include C 143 Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic Cement Con-
topping, patching, and stuccoing. Often referred to as sand mix. crete2
1.1.4 Mortars for Unit Masonry—For laying brick, block, C 144 Specification for Aggregate for Masonry Mortar4
and stone, and for masonry repairs. The following three types C 150 Specification for Portland Cement3
of masonry mortar are covered: C 173 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
1.1.4.1 Type N—For general masonry work requiring nor- Concrete by the Volumetric Method2
mal mortar properties. C 185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
1.1.4.2 Type S—For use where a higher strength masonry Mortar3
mortar is required. C 192 Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci-
1.1.4.3 Type M—For use where the highest strength ma- mens in the Laboratory2
sonry mortar is required. C 207 Specification for Hydrated Lime for Masonry Pur-
poses3
1
C 231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
C09.43on Packaged Dry Combined Concrete. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
4
published as C 387 – 56 T. Last previous edition C 387 – 99. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 387
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
Compressive Strength, min
Kind of Material Water Retention, min, %
3 days 7 days 28 days
Concrete:
High-early strength ... 17.0 (2470) 24.0 (3480)A ...
Normal strength:
Normal weight ... ... 17.0 (2470) 24.0 (3480)
Lightweight using normal weight sandB ... ... 17.0 (2470) 24.0 (3480)
Lightweight ... ... 17.0 (2470) 24.0 (3480)
High-strength mortar 20.0 (2900) 35.0 (5075)
Mortar for unit masonry:
Type M 75 ... ... 17.0 (2470)
Type S 75 ... ... 12.0 (1740)
Type N 75 ... ... 5.0 ( 725)
A
Editorially corrected July 2001.
B
Lightweight concrete using normal weight sand may contain some portion of lightweight fines.

Concrete by the Pressure Method2 4.1.1 Aggregates, shall conform to the requirements of
C 260 Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Con- Specification C 33, Specification C 144, or Specification
crete2 C 330.
C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement 4.1.2 Air-Entraining Admixtures, shall conform to the re-
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency3 quirements of C 260.
C 330 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Struc- 4.1.3 Blended Cement, shall comply with Specification
tural Concrete2 C 595 or Specification C 1157.
C 494/C 494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for 4.1.4 Chemical Admixtures, shall conform to the require-
Concrete2 ments of Specification C 494/C 494M.
C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements3 4.1.5 Flyash, shall conform to the requirements of Specifi-
C 618 Specification for Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined cation C 618.
Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in 4.1.6 Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag, shall con-
Concrete2 form to the requirements of Specification C 989.
C 702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to 4.1.7 Hydrated Lime, shall conform to Type S of Specifica-
Testing Size2 tion C 207.
C 989 Specification for Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace 4.1.8 Latex and Powder Polymer Modifiers, shall conform
Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars2 to Specification C 1438.
C 1157 Performance Specification for Blended Hydraulic 4.1.9 Masonry Cement, shall conform to Specification C 91.
Cement3 4.1.10 Mortar Cement, shall conform to Specification
C 1240 Specification for Use of Silica Fume as a Mineral C 1329.
Admixture in Hydraulic-Cement Concrete, Mortar, and 4.1.11 Portland Cement, shall conform to Type I, IA, II,
Grout2 IIA, III or IIIA of Specification C 150.
C 1329 Specification for Mortar Cement 3 4.1.12 Silica Fume, shall conform to the requirements of
C 1438 Specification for Latex and Powder Polymer Modi- Specification C 1240.
fiers for Hydraulic Cement Concrete and Mortar2
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate- 5. Preparation of Aggregate
rials5 5.1 All aggregates shall be dried, without disintegration, to
IEEE/ASTM SI 10— Standard for Use of the International a moisture content of less than 0.1 mass %, computed on
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System6 material dried substantially to constant mass % 221 to 230°F
(105 to 110°C).
3. Ordering Information
3.1 The purchaser shall specify the material desired as 6. Proportioning
concrete, high strength mortar, or mortar for use with unit 6.1 The proportions of cementitious material and aggregate
masonry, and the respective physical requirements as specified shall be such that the strength requirements will be met when
in Table 1 shall govern. an amount of mixing water is used that produces for concrete
the slump specified in 12.2 and for mortar the flow specified in
4. Materials 14.2.
4.1 Materials used as ingredients in packaged, dry, com-
7. Physical Properties
bined materials for mortar and concrete shall conform to at
least one of the following requirements: 7.1 Packaged, dry, combined materials for concrete, high
strength mortar, and mortar for use with unit masonry shall
conform to the respective physical requirements as given in
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. Table 1 for the material specified when the prescribed amount
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04. of water is added.

2
 C 387
8. Packaging and Package Marking greater than 100 g/m2 in 24 h as determined in accordance with
8.1 All packages shall be identified as conforming to Speci- Procedure B of Test Methods E 96. The strength of the
fication C 387, and as to kind and type of material listed in container shall be adequate for the mass of concrete or mortar
Table 1 and the net mass in each bag printed thereon. it is intended to contain.
8.2 The yield in liters (or cubic feet), and the amount of
water recommended for mixing shall be marked on the 9. Rejection
package. 9.1 The purchaser has the right to reject material that fails to
NOTE 1—The amount of water recommended should be the amount conform to the requirements of this specification. Rejection
required to produce a 50 to 75-mm (2 to 3-in.) slump. shall be reported to the Producer or supplier promptly and in
8.3 Container Construction—The material from which the writing.
containers are made shall have water vapor transmission not

SAMPLING AND TESTING

10. Accuracy of Measurement followed by 2-min final mixing is suggested, unless a different
10.1 Use scales conforming to the applicable sections of procedure is better adapted to the mixer being used. Cover the
Handbook 44.7 New and reconditioned scales shall be accurate open end of the mixer during the rest period to reduce
to 60.1 % of the total capacity of the scale. When scales have evaporation. Test the slump in accordance with Test Method
been in use, they shall be accurate to 60.4 % of the total C 143 upon completion of the mixing. If the slump test of the
capacity of the scale. mixed batch shows that additional water is required, return the
10.2 Record the mass of concrete in kilograms (pounds) to sample used for the slump test promptly to the mixer, add
a minimum accuracy of 0.05 kg (0.1 lb.). Record the mass of additional water, and remix the batch for 2 min. Retest the
mortar in grams to an accuracy of within 1 g or 0.1 %, slump. If the slump is not from 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 in.) discard
whichever is greater. the batch.
12.6 Discharge the mixed batch into a clean, watertight
11. Sampling Concrete container that has been predampened, then remix the batch by
11.1 Use a sufficient quantity of whole packages to conduct hand, using a scoop or trowel, until the batch appears to be
all testing from a single batch. uniform. Promptly determine the density in kilograms per
12. Mixing and Testing Concrete cubic meter (or pound per cubic foot) in accordance with Test
Method C 138. Return samples used for the slump and unit
12.1 Determine the net mass of concrete in the package (or weight test to the container, then remix the batch by hand and
packages), then empty into a clean, watertight container. mold the specimens.
12.2 Mix the concrete, determine the properties of the fresh 12.7 Mold six cylinders from each batch, using three
concrete, and mold and cure the specimens in accordance with cylinders for test at 7 days and three at 28 days, except that in
the applicable provisions of Practice C 192, or modifications of the case of high early strength concrete, three cylinders shall be
them as outlined herein. Test the strength of the concrete in tested at 3 days and three at 7 days. Compression test
accordance with Test Method C 39. specimens shall be cylindrical with a length equal to twice the
12.3 Mix the entire sample of the combined, dry material for diameter. The minimum specimen diameter shall be 75 mm (3
concrete either by hand or by machine, except that hand mixing in.), but the maximum diameter is not limited, provided the
is not applicable to air-entrained concrete. Add mixing water in number of specimens for a test as required in this section are
sufficient amount to produce a slump of 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 molded from a single batch and the sample taken in accordance
in.). with 11.1. For acceptance, the average of the strengths of the
12.4 Use a watertight, clean metal container for hand three specimens tested at each age shall not be less than the
mixing, using either a blunted bricklayer’s trowel, hands compressive strength required in Table 1 for the type of
protected by rubber gloves, or a shovel, whichever is more concrete under test and no individual specimen shall have a
convenient. Mix the dry batch until the materials appear to be strength less than 90 % of the required strength.
uniformly distributed. Add water while mixing until the con-
12.8 The report of the tests of the concrete shall include the
crete is homogeneous in appearance and has the desired slump.
following:
If prolonged mixing is required because of the addition of
12.8.1 Net mass of dry, combined material in the bag or
mixing water in increments while adjusting the slump, the
bags determined by subtracting the mass of the empty bag or
batch must be discarded and a new batch made without
bags from the gross mass of the package.
interrupting the mixing to make trial slump tests.
12.5 Place all materials in the mixer to be used for machine 12.8.2 Amount of mixing water (W) calculated in terms of
mixing. A mixing period of 3 min followed by a 3-min rest, kilograms (or pounds) per bag, based on mass of the bag.
W5~Wb/A!B
7
Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements of Weighing and
Measuring Devices, Handbook 44, National Bureau of Standards.

3
 C 387

Wb = mass of water added to batch, 10 s using a spoon. Consolidate the mortar into a 400-ml
A = mass of dry material in batch, and measure in accordance with Test Method C 185.
B = printed mass of bag contents. 14.4.2 Determine the net mass (M) of the mortar in the
12.8.3 Slump in millimetres (or inches) in accordance with 400-ml measure to the nearest 1g.
Test Method C 143. 14.4.3 Calculate the Density of the mortar in kilograms per
12.8.4 Density (D) in kilograms per cubic meter (or pounds cubic metre (or pounds per cubic foot) using the equations:
per cubic foot) in accordance with Test Method C 138. Dk 5 2.5M or ~Dp 5 0.156M!
12.8.5 Yield (Y) of concrete as determined by Test Method
C 138 in terms of liters (or cubic feet) per bag, based on printed where:
mass of bag contents. Dk = Density in kilograms per cubic meter
12.8.6 Air content, if required, shall be determined by one Dp = Density in pounds per cubic foot
of the following Test Methods: C 138, C 173, (suggested for 14.4.4 Calculate the yield (Y) per package in litres (cubic
lightweight concrete); or C 231. The method used to determine feet) as follows:
the air content shall be reported. Y 5 ~1 1 R!PC/D
12.8.7 Compressive strength at the ages specified in Table 1;
report the method of mixing the concrete. State the size of the where:
R = ratio of mass (or weight) of mixing water to mass (or
cylinder used in the report.
weight) of dry combined material in the batch of
13. Sampling Mortar mortar.
P = the net mass (or weight) printed on the package.
13.1 The contents of an entire package of dry, combined C = Conversion factor. To determine the yield in litres, P
material for mortar for unit masonry or for concrete mortar must be in kilograms per cubic metre. The conversion
shall be used as a sample. Determine the gross mass of the factor is 1000. To determine the yield in pounds per
package and contents to the nearest 0.05 kg (0.1 lb.). Empty the cubic foot; P must be in pounds and D must be in
entire contents of the package into a clean, watertight con- pounds per cubic foot. The conversion factor is 1.
tainer. Determine the mass of the empty package and calculate 14.5 In the case of masonry mortar, make the water reten-
the net mass of the package from the gross mass of the package tion test in accordance with the Section on Water Retention of
and contents. Reduce the sample to the proper size for testing Specification C 91.
in accordance with Practice C 702. 14.6 The report of the tests shall include:
14.6.1 Net mass (or weight) of dry, combined material in the
14. Mixing and Testing Mortar
bag determined to 0.05 kg (0.1 lb),
14.1 Mortar mixing equipment shall be as specified in 14.6.2 Amount of mixing water (W) calculated in accor-
Practice C 305, except that the mixer must be provided with a dance with the formula specified in 12.8.2,
bowl positioning adapter ( Note 2) to ensure clearance for the 14.6.3 Flow, in accordance with Test Method C 109/
largest size aggregate in the mix being tested. The mixing C 109M,
procedure shall be modified as given in 14.2. 14.6.4 Density (D) in kilograms per cubic meter (or pounds
NOTE 2—Description of such an adapter may be obtained from the per cubic foot) as determined in 14.4 in accordance with Test
Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory of the National Institute of Method C 138,
Standards Technology. 14.6.5 Yield (Y) of mortar in liters (or cubic feet) as
determined in 14.4,
14.2 Mix 3000 6 3 g of mortar in accordance with Practice
14.6.6 Air content, if required, may be determined by either
C 305 with the exception that the combined material is added
of Test Methods C 138, C 173, or C 231, except that only Test
at the time of cement addition in Practice C 305. Additional
Method C 173 is applicable to lightweight mortar. The method
water may be added in the final mix period to adjust the flow.
shall be reported.
Determine the flow in accordance with Test Method C 109/
14.6.7 Water retention in percent, in the case of masonry
C 109M. Use sufficient water to produce a flow of 110 6 5 %.
mortar, and
14.3 Specimens shall be 50-mm (2-in.) cubes molded,
14.6.8 Compressive strength at ages specified in Table 1.
cured, and tested in accordance with Test Method C 109/
C 109M, except that the 15 s of mixing required after the flow 15. Keywords
test has been made shall be at slow speed, and except that 15.1 aggregate-cement aggregate combinations; cement
specimens for Type N mortar for unit masonry shall be cured mortars; combined concrete/mortar materials; concrete admix-
and tested in accordance with Specification C 91. tures; concrete, packaged; concrete specifications; dry com-
14.4 Determination of density of the mixed mortar and yield bined concrete/mortar materials; mortar-cement mortar; mor-
per bag of mortar. tar, packaged; packaged dry combined materials; packaged
14.4.1 Vigorously remix the remaining mortar by hand for concrete/mortar materials

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 C 387
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